Wire terminating device

ABSTRACT

A mountable wire terminating device adapted to engagingly receive a range of mounting fasteners comprising a dimensionally variable mounting orifice defined, in one embodiment, by a series of interconnected, overlying, spaced, individually deflectable members resiliently responsive to a wide range of fasteners inserted therebetween. Other embodiments include either slidably or deflectably adjustable, selectively contoured frame-like members defining an enclosed variable mounting orifice. The deflectable members of the first mentioned embodiment may be selectively recessed to provide a series of overlapping, differently sized article receiving cavities each suitably proportioned for disposition about a particularly sized fastener.

EJite States Churla aterrt 1 1 Apr. 17, 1973 [54] WIRE TERMINATING DEVICE [75] Inventor: John .1. Churla, Raritan, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation,

Elizabeth, NJ

[22] Filed: May 4, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 140,214

[52] US. Cl. ..339/257, 24/224 R, 339/277 R [51] Int. Cl. "1101! ll/22 [58] Field of Search ..339/253, 256-258,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,780,289 11/1930 Zepp 339/2238 2,291,674 8/1942 Alden ....339/223 R 1,703,325 2/1929 Smarr ..339/257 1,158,930 11/1915 Klingner..... .339/223 R 1,392,561 10/1921 Dufiy ..85/5 N 1,705,045 3/ 1929 Champion ..339/257 2,536,862 l/1951 White ..339/223 R Primary Examiner-J0seph H. McGlynn Attorney-David Teschner and Jesse Woldman [5 7 ABSTRACT A mountable wire terminating device adapted to engagingly receive a range of mounting fasteners comprising a dimensionally variable mounting orifice defined, in one embodiment, by a series of interconnected, overlying, spaced, individually deflectable members resiliently responsive to a wide range of fasteners inserted therebetween. Other embodiments include either slidably or deflectably adjustable, selectively contoured frame-like members defining an enclosed variable mounting orifice. The deflectable members of the first mentioned embodiment may be selectively recessed to provide a series of overlapping, differently sized article receiving cavities each suitably proportioned for disposition about a particularly sized fastener.

21 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTED I V 3,728,669

sum 1 OF 4 FIG. '1

FIG. 4

INVENTOR. JOHN J. CHURLA AGENT PATENTEI] APR 1 7 I975 SHEET 2 OF 4 FIG. 10

FIG. 1 1

PATENTEUAFR 1 1 ms SHEET 3 [IF 4 FIG. 13

. FIG. 14

WIRE TERMINATING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION commonly included mounting means for attaching the device to a terminal board or the like, said mounting means generally comprising an apertured or forkedtongue arrangement selectively proportioned to accept preferably a particularly sized mounting fastener therein to establish an adequate retention of the device adjacent the terminal board or strip and to avoid unnecessary looseness in the completed connection. It was thus necessary to have access to a relatively cumbersome assortment of such devices, to provide an adequate stock thereof to accommodate the general range of mounting fasteners ordinarily employed therewith, with the attendant expense, inconvenience, and duplicity of parts often resulting therefrom. Further, the manufacture and production of such devices generally entailed the availability of a necessarily expensive array of multiple tooling adopted to provide the differently sized orifices required in such devices. Attempts to alleviate the above noted restrictions were generally expensive or highly inconvenient, employing, therewith, for example, additional washerlike members disposed adjacent the mounting orifice to at least partially restrict the opening thereof, or alternatively, cumbersome, multiply-orificed tongue members which were extremely wasteful of both material and space. Other such devices having a single mounting orifice arranged to accept a range of mounting fasteners, were also generally unsatisfactory in that the particular orifice provided an optimum fit for only one size of fastener, while providing either too loose or too tight a fit about the other sized fasteners within the included range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention overcomes the limitations and restriction noted above with respect to such prior art devices by providing a variable mounting orifice wire terminating device which is more effective, efficient and versatile than such devices. The device comprises a base member having a wire receiving portion coupled adjacent one edge thereof and a mounting means coupled adjacent another edge, the mounting means comprising, in a first embodiment, a generally resilient elongate strip extending from the base member and arranged to provide a series of overlapping interconnected portions separated by a longitudinally extending slot into associated pairs of individually deflectable members, each coupled in substantially cantilevered arrangement to its immediately adjacent member. Each member of the outermost pair is further provided with a projecting portion adjacent the free end thereof either aligned with or angularly offset from the plane thereof and disposed adjacent the longitudinal slot, permitting the employment thereof as means to prevent the unwanted removal of the device from a mounting fastener inserted within the slot intermediate the deflectable members. The effective length of the deflectable members is thus advantageously increased, thereby offering a high degree of deflectability and orificial variability within the elastic limit of the material, wherein the device may be readily employed to accommodate a variety of differently sized fasteners. Either one or both members of an associated pair may be appropriately recessed to provide one or more enlarged article receiving cavities adjacent the longitudinal slot, and a plurality of overlying, dimensionally different cavities may be thus provided, each arranged to accommodate a particular fastener size. In another embodiment, the mounting means comprises essentially a pair of slidably coupled open frame like members arranged in generally opposing relationship to define an enclosed, variable article receiving orifice selectively proportioned to accept a pre-determined range of mounting fasteners therewithin. One of the frame members may be angularly displaced in offset relationship with the other member to permit their convenient placement over the enlarged end of the mounting fastener, thus precluding the necessity for removing the fastener from its associated mounting member to effect the assembly of the device thereto. In a further embodiment of the invention the mounting means comprises a pair of spaced preferably deflectable members extending from the base member and terminating in a pair of inturned, generally adjoining free ends about which disposed closure means comprising preferably a tube-like member appropriately apertured to freely accept at least the free ends of the deflectable members therein. A resiliently displaceable tongue member extends from the base member at least partially into the variable article receiving orifice defined by the pair of deflectable members, providing a partial restriction thereof, and is adapted to permit the device to be urged over the enlarged head portion of a mounting fastener onto and adjacent the body portion thereof while maintaining an adequately restrictive engagement about said body portion. The tongue member may be equally effectively arranged in any one of a plurality of suitable shapes including for example a simple tab, or more complex bifurcated, generally arcuate, fin-like extension. It is therefrom an object of this invention to provide an improved wire terminating device.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mountable wire terminating device adapted to accept a range of mounting fasteners.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means whereby a mountable wire terminating device may be introduced over the enlarged head portion of a mounting fastener and engaged about the body portion thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a variable orifice wire terminating device.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved wire terminating device having mounting means comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced, individually deflectable members arranged in overlying relationship, defining a plurality variable article receiving orifices therebetween.

It is still a. further object of this invention to provide an improved wire terminating device having a pair of slidably adjustable frame members defining a variable mounting orifice therebetween.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved wire terminating device having a deflectable tongue extending into a variable mounting orifice defined by a pair of partially enclosed surrounding deflectable members.

Other objects and features will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode contemplated for carrying it out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device of FIG. 1 showing the mounting portion thereof in a partially deflected state.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another embodiment of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view, partially cut away, of a further embodiment of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another embodiment of the coupling between overlying deflectable members ofa wire terminating device in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the mounting portion of the device of FIG. 6 showing its engagement about a first article.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the mounting portion of the device of FIG. 6 showing its engagement about a second article dimensionally larger than the article shown in FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, of the mounting portion of the device of FIG. 6 showing its engagement about a mounting fastener.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the mounting portion of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, of the mounting portion shown in FIG. 11 as engaged about a mounting fastener.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment of a pair of deflectable members of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary front elevational view of another embodiment of the mounting portion ofa wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention showing its engagement about a mounting fastener.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of still a further embodiment of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section of the device of FIG. 15 showing a manner of positioning the mounting portion thereof over the enlarged head portion of a mounting fastener.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the intercoupling between the frame members of the device of FIG. 15 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of yet a further embodiment of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section of the device of FIG. 19 showing a manner of positioning the mounting portion thereof over the enlarged head portion of a mounting fastener.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section of the device of FIG. 19 showing the disposition of the mounting portion thereof about the body portion of a mounting fastener.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another embodiment of a wire terminating device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modification of the mounting portion of the device of FIG. 22 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respective drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a wire terminating device 30 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Device 30 comprises a base member 32 having a wire receiving portion 34 coupled adjacent one edge 36 thereof and mounting means 38 coupled adjacent another edge 40 of base member 32. Although mounting means 38 is shown disposed in generally longitudinal alignment with the wire receiving portion 34, it may be suitably arranged in either offset angular or planar relationship therewith, where necessary, desirable, or convenient, without departing from the spirit of the invention, the arrangement shown herein being indicated merely for the sake of convenience. It will also be readily appreciated that wire receiving portion 34, although shown generally as an open seam barrel, may be appropriately configured in any one of a number of suitable, commonly employed shapes, including, for example, an open ferrule, overlapping seam, or other con venient arrangement, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Mounting means 38 comprisesa selectively formed, generally elongate strip 42 extending, firstly, outwardly from the base member 32 to form a first portion 44. The remaining length of the elongate strip 42 is then disposed in generally overlying relationship with the first portion 44 to form a second portion 46 coupled to the first portion 44 at a juncture 48 remote from the coupling between base member 35 and first portion 44. The first and second portions 44, 46, respectively, of mounting means 38 are separated into associated pairs of deflectable members 50, 50' and 52, 52' respectively, by a slot 53 extending generally longitudinally between portions 44 and 46 and terminating at the base member 32. Disposed adjacent each of the free ends 54, 54 of deflectable members 52, 52' respectively, is a projection 56, 56' shown in FIG. 1 as extending at least partially into slot 53, but which may also be dispositionally varied angularly, for example, as is more clearly shown in FIGS. 11 through 14. In FIG. 11, the projections 58, 58' are shown extending inwardly and downwardly from their respective outermost pair of deflectable members 60, 60' towards the adjacent underlying pair of deflectable members 62, 62'. In FIG. 13, the projections 64, 64' are shown extending angularly upwardly, towards the top of the figure, from their respective deflectable members 66, 66'. Although shown extending partially into the slot 68 intermediate the members 66, 66' projection 64, 64 may be dispositionally arranged substantially normal to the plane of members 66, 66' where necessary or desirable, for example, to engage the enlarged head portion 70 of a mounting fastener such as 72, (FIG. 14) where the associated deflectable members such as 52, 52' (FIG. 1) or 66, 66' (FIG. 13) are disposed about the body portion 74 thereof. The deflectable members 50, 50' and 52, 52' (FIG. 1) further comprise recessed portions 76, 76' and 78, 78', respectively, arranged in generally opposing pairs adjacent slot 53, each such pair defining essentially an enlarged, selectively pro portioned, article receiving cavity substantially as shown, and arranged to accept preferably, one of range of differently sized mounting fasteners therein. For example, and with reference specifically to FIG. 1, the receiving cavity defined by recesses 78, 78' may be suitably proportioned to accommodate the body portion of a 6-32 threaded screw, while the receiving cavity defined by recesses 76, 76' may be selectively proportioned to accommodate the body portion of an 8-32 threaded screw, the disposition of mounting means 38 about the latter resulting in a deflection of deflectable members 52, 52' generally as shown in F IG. 3. It should be appreciated that, due to the unique overlapping arrangement of first and second; portions 44 and 46, respectively, members 52, 52' are essentially pivotally deflected about their respective junctures 48 with members 50, 50, thereby advantageously substantially increasing the deflectability of said members within the elastic limits thereof, where, for example, device 30 is formed from electrically conducting material such as copper, brass, aluminum, phosphor bronze or other such readily deformable metals. The mounting means 38 of device 30 may appropriately coupled to a mounting fastener such as 80 as shown, for example, in FIG. 2, where the free ends 54, 54 of deflectable members 52, 52 are positioned adjacent fastener 80 and urged towards the right of FIG. 2, engaging fastener 80 intermediate the recessed portions 78, 78 of deflectable members 52, 52.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a further embodiment of a wire terminating device 82 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Device 82 comprises a mounting means 84 similar to that described above with respect to mounting means 38 of device 30 (FIGS. 1 through 3), but further including a third portion 86 overlying a first and a second portion 88, 90, respectively, and coupled to the second portion 90 at a juncture 92 remote from the juncture between portions 88 and 90. It will of course be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a fourth and further overlying portions may be provided in a similar manner where necessary or desirable within the spirit of and according to the concepts herein disclosed, such arrangement being merely a continuation of the serpentine-like arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4. Separating each of the three portions into associated pairs of deflectable members in a longitudinally extending slot 94 comparable to slot 53 of device 30. Each of the outermost pair of deflectable members 94, 94' of third portion 86 further comprises a projection 96, 96' respectively, adjacent its free end 98, 98 extending into slot 94 and at least partially restricting the opening thereat. In use, device 82 may be readily adapted to accommodate a range of differently sized mounting fasteners (not shown) by dimensionally proportioning slot 94 to approximate the body diameter of the largest size fastener to be accepted, while restricting the spacing 100 between projections 96, 96' to a dimension somewhat less than the body diameter of the smallest of such range of fasteners. Thus, the free ends 98, 98' of mounting means 84 may be positioned adjacent a particular fastener with projections 96, 96 in intimate contact with the body portion thereof. Device 82 is then urged against the fastener, causing generally lateral deflection of the deflectable members 94, 94 pivotally about the juncture 92 to permit the receipt and retention of the body portion of the fastener within slot 94. A series of preferably selectively proportioned varyingly dimensioned article receiving cavities 102, 104, 106 may be provided, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 6, by suitably recessing each of the deflectable members in the area adjacent slot 94. Each pair of recesses defining a particular article receiving cavity 102, I04, 106 may, for example, be appropriately proportioned to accept one of a range of differently sized mounting fasteners (not shown) thus providing, in effect, a conveniently adaptable variable orifice mounting means. For example in FIGS. 8 and 10 there is shown interposed between the deflectable members 110, 110' of mounting means 112, structurally similar I to that shown in FIG. 6, a mounting fastener 108 selectively adaptable for receipt within cavity 102. As illustrated, the deflectable members 1 10, 110' are disposed in an essentially undeflected state about article 108 while maintaining a secure retention thereabout. In FIG. 9 the deflectable members 110, 110 are shown about the body portion of a mounting fastener 114 dimensionally larger than fastener 108 and adapted for receipt within cavity 104. The deflectable members 110, 110' are thus laterally deflected outwardly, substantially as shown, encompassingly engaging fastener 114 therebetween while the pair of recessed deflectable members 116, 116' underlying members 110, 110 and defining cavity 104, remain substantially undeflected. Upon the insertion of a mounting fastener (not shown) adapted for receipt within the third sized cavity 106, deflectable member pairs 110, 110' and 116, 116' are laterally deflected outwardly while the recessed deflectable members 118, 118' defining cavity 106 remain substantially undeflected. Thus, to summarize, the smallest of a range of fasteners to be accepted is selected preferably to fit unrestrictively within cavity 102. The next sized fastener is selected preferably to fit unrestrictively within cavity 104, while partially deflecting the uppermost pair of members 110, 110. And the third sized fastener is selected preferably to fit unrestrictively within cavity 106, while partially deflecting the uppertwo pair of deflectable members 110, 110' and 116, 116' respectively. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that each deflectable member may be provided with a plurality of recess such as 78, 78' (FIG. 1) arranged in adjacent disposition, where necessary or desirable, and either similarly or dissimilarly dimensioned, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the coupling between adjacent deflectable members such as, for example, members 86 and 90 (FIG. 4) may be arranged as shown in FIG. 7 wherein the outermost deflectable member 120 is coupled to the adjacent underlying member 122 by means of a web portion 124 adjacent one end of the longitudinally extending'sides 126, 128, respectively, thereof. It will be readily apparent that the individually deflectable members such as 88, 90, 86 (FIG. 4) may be coupled to an adjacent member either by means of a web portion 124 as shown in FIG. 7, or by means of a laterally extending juncture 92 as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. there is shown a further embodiment of a wire terminating device 130 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Device 130 comprises essentially a first open frame member 132 coupled to one edge 134 of a base member 136, and comprising a pair of extending leg members 138, 140, interconnected by a web portion 142. Movably secured to first frame member 132 is a second frame member 143 similarly comprising a generally central web portion 144 interconnecting a pair of extending leg members 146, 148, arranged to at least partially overlie leg members 138 and 140, respectively, of frame member 132. A first tab 150 extends from leg member 138 generally adjacent the free end 152 thereof and cooperatively engages leg member 146 of the second frame member 143, thereby intercoupling said leg members 138 and 146 in preferably slidable relationship. A second tab 154, extending from leg member 140 is arranged in a manner essentially similar to that described above with respect to first tab 150, for preferably slidably intercoupling leg members 140 and 148, thus providing a variable article receiving orifice 156 defined essentially by the interior contour of frame members 132 and 143. The free ends 158, 160, respectively of leg members 146 and 148 may be turned up, as shown, to selectively engage tabs 150 and 154 as frame member 143 is urged away from frame member 132, to restrict the extent of travel of member 143. It will be readily apparent that either one or both where necessary or desirable to provide an appropriately shaped orifice other than the generally rectangular orifice 156 shown in FIG. 15. For example, in FIG. 16 the end portions 162, 164 of frame members 166, 168, respectively, are arranged to provide a generally arcuate inner contour defining a substantially annular orifice 170, which, of course, may be further advantageously modified to provide either an oval or elliptical orifice, such arrangements being illustrative only and not restrictive of the various other suitable shapes which may be readily provided within the concepts of the invention. Leg members 146 and 148 of device (FIG. 15) may be modified as shown, for example, in FIG. 18 where the free end 172 of a leg member 174 is provided with a laterally extending projection 176, arranged to restrictively engage an arcuately formed tab 178 extending from a first frame member 180 and at least partially overlying leg member 174. As further shown in FIG. 18, a generally elongated slot such as 182 may be provided in leg member 174 of tab 178 therein while providing slidable coupling therebetween. To permit the engagement of device 130 (FIG. 15) about the enlarged head portion 186 (FIG. 17) of a mounting fastener 188 previously assembled to a mounting member such as 190, the second frame member 143 is pulled away from the first frame member 132 and angularly disposed in oblique planar relationship with member 132, substantially as shown, thus providing, in effect an open ended cavity readily positionable over the fastener head portion 186. After the frame members 132, 143 have cleared the head portion 186 and are suitably disposed about the body portion 192 of fastener 188, frame member 143 may be appropriately advanced toward frame member 132, to restrict the orifice 156 therebetween, permitting fastener 188 to be threadably tightened into mounting member while securing device 130 thereto. By reversing the above procedure, device 130 may be advantageously removed from member 190 while desirably avoiding the necessity for fully removing fastener 188 from member 190 during such operation.

Turning now to FIGS. 19 through 21, there is shown a further embodiment of a wire terminating device 194 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. The mounting means 196 of device 194 com prises essentially a closure means in the form of a sleeve 198 disposed about the inturned free ends 200, 202, respectively of a pair of elongated deflectable members 204, 206 extending from and coupled to one edge 208 of a base member 210. A deflectable tongue member 212 extends from the base member 210 into and partially restricts the generally enclosed article receiving orifice 214 defined substantially by the circumventing members 198, 204 and 206. The deflectable members 204, 206 may be suitably modified to define, for example, a pair of generally deflectably arcuate members such as 216, 218, as shown more particularly in FIG. 22, or other appropriate configurations suitable for the use contemplated and within the concepts disclosed herein. The tongue portion 212 (FIG. 19) may be appropriately modified to provide, for example, a bifurcated extension 220 as shown in FIG. 23. As is more clearly seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, device 194 may be readily disposed over the enlarged head portion 222 of a mounting fastener 224 and retained about the body portion 226 thereof by first positioning the end of cavity 214 adjacent closure 198 over and below the fastener head portion 222, as shown in FIG."20, and thereafter urging the deflectable tongue portion 212, and the deflectable members 204 and 206 of device 194 against the adjacent surface of head portion 222. Members 204 and 206 are thus deflected laterally outwardly, while tongue portion 212 is deflected upwardly and away from orifice 214, permitting the passage of head portion 222 therethrough, and the further advance of device 194 towards and onto the body portion 226 of fastener 224. As device 194 clears the head portion 222, the deflectable members 204, 206 and the tongue portion 212 return to their undeflected state in close, encompassing relationship about the body portion 226 of fastener 224, as shown in FIG. 21. Fastener 226 may now be tightened down into its mounting member 228, to secure device 194 thereto. Thus, a single sized device such as 194 may be advantageously employed to accept a wide range of fastener sizes within the limits of the dimensional variability of orifice 214, while additionally eliminating the necessity for removing the fastener 224 from its associated mounting member 228 to effect a completed assembly.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A wire terminating device comprising: a base member; a wire receiving portion coupled adjacent one edge of said base member; and mounting means coupled adjacent the other edge of said base member; said mounting means comprising a generally resilient elongate strip continuous with said base member and hav ing a first portion extending generally outwardly from said base member, and a second portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said first portion remote from said base member; said elongate strip having a longitudinally extending selectively proportioned slot separating each of said first and said second portions into associated pairs of individually deflectable members; each of said second portion deflectable members being deflectable independently of said first portion deflectable members in a first direction along an axis normal to the plane of said first portion deflectable members and laterally in a second direction along a plane parallel to the plane of said first portion deflectable members, each of said second portion deflectable members further comprising a projection adjacent the free end thereof arranged to prevent the unwanted removal of said terminating device from an article disposed between said deflectable members.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein both of said deflectable members, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said projection protrudes at least partially into said slot effecting at least a partial restriction thereof.

5. A device as defined in claim I wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.

6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.

7. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.

8. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.

9. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.

W. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein both of said deflectable members of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.

11. A wire terminating device comprising: a base member; a wire receiving portion coupled adjacent one edge of said base member; and mounting means coupled adjacent the other edge of said base member; said mounting means comprising a generally resilient elongate strip continuous with said base member and having a first portion extending generally outwardly from said base member, a second portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said first portion remote from said base member, and a third portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said second portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said second portion remote from the juncture of said second portion and said first portion; said elongate strip having a longitudinally extending, selectively proportioned slot separating each of said first, said second, and said third portions into associated pairs of individually deflectable members; each of said third portion deflectable members further comprising a projection adjacent the free end thereof arranged to prevent the unwanted removal of said terminating device from an article disposed between said deflectable members.

12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.

13. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein both of said deflectable members, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.

14. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said projection protrudes at least partially into said slot effecting at least a partial restriction thereof.

15. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.

16. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.

17. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.

18. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.

19. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.

20. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein both of said deflectable members, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.

21. A wire terminating device comprising: a base member; a wire receiving portion coupled adjacent an edge of said base member; and mounting means coupled adjacent the other edge of said base member; said mounting means comprising a generally resilient elongate strip continuous with said base member and having a first portion extending generally outwardly from said base member, a second portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said first portion remote from said base member, a third portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said second portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said second portion remote from the juncture of said second portion and said first portion, and at least one further portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion, the first of said further portions being coupled to said third portion remote from the juncture between said third portion and said second portion, each of the remaining further portions being intercoupled in similar alternating arrangement; said elongate strip having a longitudinally extending, selectively proportioned slot separating each of said first, second, third, and further portions into associated pairs of individually deflectable members; each of the deflectable members of the outermost one of said further portions further comprising a projection adjacent the free end thereof arranged to prevent the unwanted removal of said terminating device from an article disposed between said deflectable members.

l II 

1. A wire terminating device comprising: a base member; a wire receiving portion coupled adjacent one edge of said base member; and mounting means coupled adjacent the other edge of said base member; said mounting means comprising a generally resilient elongate strip continuous with said base member and having a first portion extending generally outwardly from said base member, and a second portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said first portion remote from said base member; said elongate strip having a longitudinally extending selectively proportioned slot separating each of said first and said second portions into associated pairs of individually deflectable members; each of said second portion deflectable members being deflectable independently of said first portion deflectable members in a first direction along an axis normal to the plane of said first portion deflectable members and laterally in a second direction along a plane parallel to the plane of said first portion deflectable members, each of said second portion deflectable members further comprising a projection adjacent the free end thereof arranged to prevent the unwanted removal of said terminating device from an article disposed between said deflectable members.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein both of said deflectable members, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.
 4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said projection protrudes at least partially into said slot effecting at least a partial restriction thereof.
 5. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.
 6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.
 8. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.
 9. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.
 10. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein both of said deflectable members of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.
 11. A wire terminating device comprising: a base member; a wire receiving portion coupled adjacent one edge of said base member; and mounting means coupled adjacent the other edge of said base member; said mounting means comPrising a generally resilient elongate strip continuous with said base member and having a first portion extending generally outwardly from said base member, a second portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said first portion remote from said base member, and a third portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said second portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said second portion remote from the juncture of said second portion and said first portion; said elongate strip having a longitudinally extending, selectively proportioned slot separating each of said first, said second, and said third portions into associated pairs of individually deflectable members; each of said third portion deflectable members further comprising a projection adjacent the free end thereof arranged to prevent the unwanted removal of said terminating device from an article disposed between said deflectable members.
 12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.
 13. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein both of said deflectable members, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.
 14. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said projection protrudes at least partially into said slot effecting at least a partial restriction thereof.
 15. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.
 16. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.
 17. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein said projection extends angularly towards said mounting means first portion.
 18. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein said projection extends angularly away from said mounting means first portion.
 19. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein at least one deflectable member, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot to provide an enlarged article receiving cavity arranged for encompassing disposition about an article inserted therebetween.
 20. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein both of said deflectable members, of at least one of said associated pairs, is selectively recessed adjacent said longitudinally extending slot.
 21. A wire terminating device comprising: a base member; a wire receiving portion coupled adjacent an edge of said base member; and mounting means coupled adjacent the other edge of said base member; said mounting means comprising a generally resilient elongate strip continuous with said base member and having a first portion extending generally outwardly from said base member, a second portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said first portion remote from said base member, a third portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said second portion and coupled thereto adjacent the end of said second portion remote from the juncture of said second portion and said first portion, and at least one further portion arranged in generally overlying relationship with said first portion, the first of said further portions being coupled to said third portion remote from the juncture between said third portion and said second portion, each of the remaining further portions being intercoupled in similar alternating arrangement; said elongate strip having a longitudinally extending, selectively proportioned slot separating each of said first, second, third, and further portions into associated pairs of individually deflectable members; each of the deflectable members of the oUtermost one of said further portions further comprising a projection adjacent the free end thereof arranged to prevent the unwanted removal of said terminating device from an article disposed between said deflectable members. 